Oskar Schindler: The Industrialist Who Became a Lifesaver

Oskar Schindler, a name etched into history, is renowned not just as a German industrialist but as a humanitarian who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during one of the darkest periods in history—the Holocaust. His life is a narrative of transformation, from a profit-driven entrepreneur to a savior of many, immortalized in the novel “Schindler’s Ark” and its cinematic adaptation, “Schindler’s List.” Let’s dive deep into the life of this complex figure who walked a fine line between the Nazi regime and the humanity he ultimately chose to save.

Early Life and Background

A Glimpse into Schindler’s Childhood

Oskar Schindler was born on April 28, 1908, in Zwittau, Moravia, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Raised in a Sudeten German family, Schindler was exposed to a comfortable upbringing. His father, Hans Schindler, was a factory owner, and his mother, Louisa, instilled strong moral values in him, though these would be tested and reshaped over the course of his life.

Youth and Early Career

Schindler’s youth was marked by a series of ventures and jobs, none of which brought him lasting success. From trying his hand at various trades to serving briefly in the Czech army, Schindler’s early years were a patchwork of attempts to find his footing. In 1936, he joined the Abwehr, the military intelligence service of Nazi Germany—a decision that would set him on a path that intertwined with the darker chapters of history.

Schindler’s Role in Nazi Germany

Joining the Nazi Party

In 1939, Schindler officially joined the Nazi Party. This affiliation wasn’t out of ideological commitment but more out of opportunism. The Nazi regime offered business prospects, and Schindler, with his connections in the Abwehr, saw an opening to thrive financially. As Europe plunged into war, Schindler seized opportunities in the chaos, which led him to Kraków, Poland.

The Acquisition of the Enamelware Factory

Schindler’s move to Kraków marked the beginning of his business success during the war. He acquired an enamelware factory, Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik (DEF), which became instrumental in his later humanitarian efforts. Initially, Schindler’s factory was just another cog in the Nazi war machine, producing goods for the German military. However, this factory would soon become a sanctuary for those persecuted under Nazi rule.

The Transformation: From Businessman to Savior

The Reality of the Kraków Ghetto

As the war raged on, the Jewish population in Kraków faced increasing oppression, culminating in the establishment of the Kraków Ghetto. Schindler, now a factory owner in the city, witnessed the inhumane treatment and mass deportations. His Jewish workers, who initially were just a cheap labor source, became people whose lives were in imminent danger.

Employing Jews as a Means of Protection

Schindler’s factory became a haven for Jews. By employing them, he provided a shield from the deadly fate awaiting them in the concentration camps. At first, Schindler’s motivations were likely mixed, driven by both economic advantages and a growing discomfort with the Nazi policies. However, as the atrocities grew, his factory shifted from a business operation to a life-saving mission.

The Kraków-Płaszów Concentration Camp

The establishment of the Kraków-Płaszów concentration camp under the ruthless command of Amon Göth added another layer of peril for Schindler’s workers. Göth’s brutality was infamous, and Schindler’s efforts to protect his workers required increasing courage and cunning. Schindler began to see the SS’s atrocities firsthand, solidifying his resolve to save as many Jews as possible.

Schindler’s List: A Life-Saving Document

The Creation of the List

By 1944, the tide of the war was turning against Germany, and the SS began the liquidation of camps, sending prisoners to death camps like Auschwitz. Schindler, recognizing the impending doom, took extraordinary measures to save his workers. With the help of Jewish officers and his connections, Schindler created a list—a list of Jews who would be “essential” to his relocated factory, thus sparing them from certain death.

Moving the Factory to Brünnlitz

Schindler convinced Amon Göth to allow the transfer of his factory from Kraków to Brünnlitz in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. This move was critical. Schindler’s list now included 1,200 names, and the relocation of the factory was not just a logistical operation but a large-scale rescue mission. Every name on that list represented a life saved from the gas chambers.

The Cost of Bribery and Corruption

To keep his workers safe, Schindler spent his entire fortune on bribes and black-market deals. The SS officials were relentless in their demands, and Schindler met these demands without hesitation. His wealth, once used to line his pockets, was now a tool for survival—every bribe was a life preserved, every deal a step away from death for his workers.

The End of the War and Schindler’s Decline

Liberation and the Aftermath

The end of World War II in Europe in May 1945 brought liberation to the surviving Jews. For Schindler, however, it marked the beginning of a decline. With his fortune depleted and his role in the Nazi Party, Schindler was now a man without a country or a livelihood. He fled to West Germany and later moved to Argentina, seeking a fresh start.

Post-War Struggles

Schindler’s post-war life was marked by a series of failures. His ventures in Argentina, including farming, were unsuccessful, leading to bankruptcy. He left his wife Emilie in 1958 and returned to Germany, where his attempts at business continued to fail. Despite his financial ruin, Schindler was sustained by the gratitude and support of those he had saved—known as the Schindlerjuden.

Legacy and Recognition

Righteous Among the Nations

In 1993, Oskar and Emilie Schindler were posthumously recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by the Israeli government, an honor reserved for non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. This recognition cemented Schindler’s legacy as a hero, a title that stands in stark contrast to his early life as a Nazi Party member.

Burial in Jerusalem

Oskar Schindler died on October 9, 1974, in Hildesheim, Germany. He was buried in Jerusalem on Mount Zion, a unique honor as he was possibly the only former Nazi Party member to be laid to rest there. His grave remains a symbol of his extraordinary transformation from a man of profit to a man of profound humanitarian impact.

Schindler in Popular Culture

Schindler’s Ark and Schindler’s List

Oskar Schindler’s story was brought to global attention by the 1982 novel “Schindler’s Ark,” written by Thomas Keneally. This book was later adapted into the 1993 film “Schindler’s List,” directed by Steven Spielberg. The film, which won seven Academy Awards, portrayed Schindler’s complex character and his extraordinary efforts to save Jewish lives, ensuring that his legacy would not be forgotten.

Impact on Historical Memory

The film “Schindler’s List” has played a significant role in shaping the collective memory of the Holocaust. It highlights not just the horrors of the time but also the capacity for individual courage and morality to shine through even in the darkest circumstances. Schindler’s actions remind us that even within systems of great evil, humanity can prevail.

Conclusion

Oskar Schindler’s life is a compelling testament to the complexities of human nature. From a man driven by profit within the Nazi regime, Schindler transformed into a beacon of hope for 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. His actions, although born from a mix of motives, ultimately contributed to saving lives and have left an indelible mark on history. Schindler’s story continues to inspire, showing that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, the light of humanity can still shine through.

FAQs

1. Why did Oskar Schindler join the Nazi Party?

Oskar Schindler joined the Nazi Party primarily out of opportunism, seeking to gain business advantages during the war rather than from a deep-seated ideological commitment.

2. How did Schindler’s factory save Jewish lives?

Schindler’s factory employed Jewish workers, which protected them from being deported to concentration camps. By keeping them “essential” to his operations, he shielded them from the Holocaust’s atrocities.

3. What was the significance of Schindler’s List?

Schindler’s List was a document containing the names of 1,200 Jews who were spared from death by being relocated to his factory in Brünnlitz, away from the Nazi death camps.

4. What happened to Oskar Schindler after the war?

After the war, Schindler struggled financially, failing in several business ventures. He relied on the financial support of the Jews he had saved and lived the remainder of his life modestly.

5. Why is Oskar Schindler buried in Jerusalem?

Schindler is buried in Jerusalem on Mount Zion as an honor for his efforts in saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust. This burial site underscores the deep gratitude felt by the Jewish community towards him.